A downtown property long described as dilapidated has been undergoing an upgrade in recent weeks.
Renovations — at least on the exterior — began at least a month ago on the property at 69-79 W. Main St. The lot had been rundown for years and came up during a discussion at a Redevelopment Agency meeting this past May after one commissioner inquired about the eyesore.
The property is one lot (Block 160, Lot 8) but appears to include two, 2 1/2-story structures. It’s located between James Mackie American Legion Post 499 (on its right when facing the front) and the corner property (on its left), vacant since T&L Catering left many years ago. Across the street is 1 Park Square, which has 96 of the 159 units in the two-building rental apartment complex that was constructed earlier this decade.
The lot is significantly wider than the two adjacent ones, running about 85 feet wide along West Main Street and 80 feet deep, backing up to the Rahway River as do most other lots along West Main Street.
Assessed for $233,330, the site generated a property tax bill of $16,226 for 2018 and is classified as 4C Apartment. Most recently, Elizabeth-based Trinity Restorations, LLC acquired the property from the estate of Kevin Scanlon for $145,000 in November 2017, according to property records. The Scanlon estate was listed in property records as having acquired the lot in June 2005 for $450,000, under management of Newark-based Cooper Real Estate Management.
The Scanlon estate owned several properties in town and has sold many of them in recent years, including 185 W. Main St. (Block 161, Lot 12) in May 2018 for $63,200, according to property records. The estate also sold 98 E. Emerson Ave. (Block 312, Lot 14) for $135,000 in April 2017. That property had been vacant for many years but recently got approval from the Zoning Board of Adjustment for a subdivision and variances (more on that in the coming weeks).
Speaking about dilapitaed buildings look at that terrible building coming into our city on the corner of New Brunswick Ave and Hazrlwood Ave. Someone has now painted it lime green! As if it didn’t look bad enough.
The city needs to do something